19 Healthy instant pot recipes perfect for beginners & busy nights - Thriving home secrets (2024)

19 Easy and healthy instant pot recipes that are going to be life-changing. These recipes are quick, budget-friendly, super delicious and will make your life easier.

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Do you own an instant pot? An instant pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that is a must-have in all households. It’s an electric pressure cooker. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights, or those days you have zero energy and less time to spend in the kitchen cooking. Wondering which instant pot is best for you? I love to use and highly recommend the 6 quarts Instant Pot Duo for daily use. It’s perfect for a family of 4+, stainless steel insert and has 14 smart program settings.

If you are cooking for more people then the 8 quart Instant POT Lux is perfect for that. The 8 quart instant pot is great for a large crowd, batch cooking and meal prep. Maybe you just want to cook once and eat leftovers for a few days. It comes in handy during holidays like for holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. If you’re cooking for one or two people, then the 3 quart instant pot will be just fine.

Apart from making mouthwatering dishes, another great thing about Instant pot is that the clean-up is super easy. You can easily clean it by hand in the sink. It’s a multi-cooker which means you can use it as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, warmer, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker or sauté pot. You can make anything from hearty soups,meal prep recipes, breakfasts hard-boiled eggs, steamed veggies, healthy snacks the list is endless. There’s something yummy for everyone. If you don’t own an instant pot, it’s worth every penny.

It’s a magical kitchen appliance that you dump in all the ingredients and it will do all the work for you. Some of the recipes might require you to brown the meat first or saute the onions and veggies but that shouldn’t scare you. All of which can be done in your IP. It’s time to enjoy delicious weeknight dinners and in no time.

If you are new to instant pot cooking, you are in the right place. 19 delicious and healthy instant pot recipes to help you get started. Sometimes it can be a bit scary and intimidating but just follow the recipes and ask questions if need be and you will be fine. If your IP has been collecting dust somewhere in the cabinet it’s time to put it into use.

Meal prep container. These are perfect for storing leftover and for bulk cooking.

Ziploc freezer bags. Most of these instant pot recipes are great for meal prep. Once you cook them just put them in the freezer bags until you are ready to enjoy them.

Instant pot cookbooks that you will love

The ultimate Instant pot cookbook . It has about 200 simple instant pot recipes that are tested, flavorful and for any occasions. You get recipes that are perfect for those starting to use their IP for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Instant pot pressure cooker cookbook. This cookbook has 500 easy everyday recipes for both beginners and advanced users. The recipes are very easy to follow and fail-proof.

Let’s dive into these yummy instant pot recipes.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe

This will be the best chili you have ever tried and tasted. It’s so delicious and full of bacon, ground beef, beans, and you can customize by adding the different toppings that you want. It comes together in less than one hour. It’s super easy to make as everything can be done in the instant pot which means it’s fast, super convenient and you will only have one dish to clean.

It’s perfect for dinner and pairs so well with so many things such as corn bread, cinnamon rolls or even avocado salad. It’s super easy to freeze. You simply cool it completely and store in ziplocs with all the air pressed out. This chili is full of flavor, bold and comforting. What else can you ask for?

Full recipe Oh sweet Basil

Instant pot chicken marsala

The combination of the chicken cutlets, mushroom and Marsala wine sauce is nothing short of mouth watering delicacy. Such a flavorful meal that everyone will love. The juicy chicken cutlets is cooked in mushroom and Marsala wine sauce which bring out all the flavors so perfectly. Comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Super quick and delicious. You can use chicken breast, boneless thighs, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or even switch to pork cutlets to make this dish. Make sure you brown the chicken first as it helps makes it more flavorful and improves the texture. You can serve it over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes.

Full recipe Crunchycreamysweet

Ground beef burrito bowls

Doesn’t that look inviting? It’s perfect for dinner option, busy weeknights or for busy moms. It’s quick, easy and super delicious. Comes together in 10 minutes and the best part is that you can add in or substitute with your preferred ingredients.

It’s a great dish to make with the kids as they enjoy adding whatever toppings they want on their own bowl. You can choose topping such as cheese, sour cream, avocado and sliced olives.

Source Oh sweet basil

Instant pot coconut tandoori chicken recipe

This dish is perfect for meal prep, it’s hearty, super easy and quick. Everyone will fall in love with this recipe, the chicken is so tender it practically falls apart, creamy and juicy as it’s coated with gravy-like coconut curry-ish sauce. You can enjoy the coconut tandoori chickens in countless ways such as with tacos, wraps, salads, rice bowls, pizzas, cauliflower rice and roasted veggies.

Source Pinch of Yum

Brown sugar garlic chicken

This is one of my favorite healthy instant pot recipes that I just can’t get over how delicious it is. It’s super easy to make and it comes together in 8 minutes. So juicy and the chicken is super tender as it fall off the bone and it’s made with brown sugar garlic sauce. It’s pure delicacy.

The instant pot ensures that the chicken thighs are perfectly cooked, juicy, moist and tender. The combination of the garlic and brown sugar is perfection. It can be served with so many things such as plain steamed rice and plain spaghetti.

Full recipe Rasamalaysia

Looking for even more easy instant pot recipes?

13 Easy and delicious low carb instant dinner recipes

15 Delicious and easy instant pot recipes you can’t afford to miss

15 Delicious keto slow cooker recipes you must try

Healthy instant pot recipes: Mashed potatoes

Easy to make, rich, creamy and so scrumptious. They are ready in 20 minutes and everyone will love them. Mashed potatoes is one of the delicious side dishes and with this recipe it’s now possible to enjoy it on a busy weeknight. You can add as little or as much seasoning as you prefer. If you have never tried mashed potatoes in an instant pot you have to try this recipe, it’s life changing.

Full recipe Thesaltymarshmallow

Sweet potato tortilla soup

Healthy, hearty and comforting. The classic smoky, limey, tomato-rich broth with onion, garlic, jalapeno, and tender chunks of sweet potato is amazing. It’s topped with a few slices of avocado.

Full recipe Pinch of Yum

Chicken noodle soup

This instant pot noodle soup is perfect for cold winter days but it doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed throughout the year. It’s hearty, comforting and it will warm you from inside. It has tender shredded chicken, carrots, celery and noodles in a flavorful broth making it so delicious. What’s not to love about that?

Source Kristineskitchenblog

Healthy instant pot recipes for beginners and for easy weeknight dinners that the whole family will enjoy.

Ham hock and bean soup

A hearty classic soup that is a favorite among many. The smoky ham hock, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves gives it such an amazing flavor that will have you asking for seconds. It’s a total comfort food.

Full recipe Simply happy foodie

Veggie packed instant pot spaghetti with meat sauce

This is so inviting right? So perfect for a weeknight dinner. Veggie Packed Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is hearty, filling, nutritious and so quick and easy to make. It’s so great for picky eaters as the veggies are in one dish. It goes well with so many veggies such zucchini, carrots, celery, bell peppers and sweet peppers. Basically you the veggies you enjoy eating.

Full recipe Slowcookergourment

Honey garlic pork tenderloin

Another one of my favorite healthy instant pot recipes, I love pork and I just can’t get enough of this recipe. Not only is this restaurant quality recipe but it’s also super easy to make. It melts in your mouth with every bite. The pork is so tender, juicy and deliciously flavored by a dry spice rub and an amazing honey garlic sauce.

If you tried cooking pork and it came out dry and rubbery, this recipe is the best way to redeem yourself. Results will blow your mind. Pork is on of those things that goes with so many flavors, so there is so much room for creativity. The seasoning and sauces depends with you. You can served it with rice and salad.

Full recipe Simply Happy Foodie

Instant pot teriyaki chicken

Just look at all that goodness. This dish is a pure delicacy. This instant pot chicken is easy, quick and the sticky-sweet homemade sauce is something else. A delicious, family dinner idea that everyone will love and enjoy. You can serve the chicken over rice, quinoa, spiralized veggie noodles or shred it as a sandwich filling.

Full recipe Fivehearthome

Broccoli cheddar soup

Creamy, cheesy, comforting, delicious and it’s veggie packed. This soup will warm you up on those cold chilly days. It’s perfect for a light dinner option as well. Super quick and easy as it will only take you 20 minutes to make it.

Full tutorial Crunchy creamy sweet

Healthy turkey chili recipe

Another chili recipe that you will love. Once you try this recipe it will be the best turkey chili you have ever had. You can customize it by adding more veggies. It’s perfect for meal prep, freezes well for up to two months.

Full recipe kristines kitchen blog

Red curry vegetables

This is one of the most versatile healthy instant pot recipes as you can change it up with different veggies. It’s simple, filling, vegan and super flavorful mild Thai curry. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner. It can be enjoyed on it’s own as stew or served over rice, potatoes, or even gnocchi.

Full tutorial Simply happy foodie

Perfect instant pot hard boiled eggs

Wondering how you can make perfect hard eggs? You will love this recipe. It’s quick, easy and completely hands-off. With this method the peels will literally fall off.

Full recipe Kristineskitchenblog

Pizza pasta

This pizza pasta is a crowd pleaser. It’s so good even the picky eaters will truly enjoy it. 15 minutes is all you need to have this delicious meal on the table.

Full recipe Family fresh meals

Instant pot red beans and rice

One of the most flavorful healthy instant pot recipes and the best part is that you don’t have to wait all day. No need to presoak the beans either. An instant pot is really is a magical equipment. Everyone will enjoy this dish as it’s cooked to perfection.

Full recipe A pinch of healthy

Pineapple Mexican shredded chicken

Anything pineapple am in. This dish is packed with tons of flavors and is super satisfying. It can be enjoyed solo but its also perfect for salads, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and burrito bowls. You can make it ahead of time as the flavors holds up so well.

Full recipe oh sweet basil

19 Healthy instant pot recipes for beginners that are crowd pleasers and the whole family will love and enjoy them. With the instant pot, you will never be disappointed, it’s super convenient, a big time saver, and user-friendly.

Enjoy!